Gale touts electronic voting
By BEN THOMPSON, The North Platte Telegraph 12/04/2005
 

In a visit to North Platte Friday, Secretary of State John Gale said all 93 Nebraska counties are now in compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act.
The act stemmed from the 2000 election, when Florida's voting system was the focus of national attention and led to changes in voting laws nationwide.
The act is the result, in part, of a compromise between those who want a totally federalized voting system and the secretaries of state, who want to maintain state and local control of the voting process.
Gale said, "The primary goals of HAVA are to improve provisional voting and provide equality among the country's 2,700 county voting systems."
As part of the new system, provisional voting allows a voter to vote even when their registration is challenged.
Their vote will be secured, following the election, and will be counted if their registration is validated.
In the 2004 election, 65 percent of Nebraska's 18,000 provisional votes were determined to be valid.
Gale also proposed a satellite voting system which would allow people to vote at centralized locations, such as government buildings, college campuses, hospitals or shopping centers.
Voters may still register to vote at courthouses, but their information will be entered into a statewide system, and will be interfaced with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Vital Statistics and Crime Commission. New data will be entered daily.
Another election procedure change will require that all voting precincts accommodate physically handicapped and visually impaired voters.
Gale said, "Auto Mark voting machines, which have joy sticks and audio instructions, will be provided for those who are physically handicapped or visually impaired.
"Paper ballots will remain part of the new system," Gale said.
Gale emphasized the importance of individual voter responsibility to make the new system a success.
With the assistance of the Nebraska Secretary of State's office and county election officials, each voter needs to educate himself about the system and follow voting instructions carefully.
Gale also supports the new law that allows released felons to vote within two years after release.
Thirty-five states now have such systems.
Another area of emphasis for Gale has been international activities.
With his backing, the Legislature in 2003 passed legislation that designates the secretary of state as the chief protocol officer with the authority to help facilitate commerce, cultural exchange and education studies between foreign nations and Nebraska.
Gale's goal is to develop contacts, expertise and programs in the international field to connect Nebraska with the international field.
As secretary of state, Gale has jurisdiction over elections, international activities, business registry services, occupational licensing, government records management, and rules and regulations.
Gale, a former North Platte attorney, was appointed to the office of secretary of state by then-Gov. Mike Johanns, in December 2000. Gale was then elected in 2002 with 62 percent of the vote. He is Nebraska's 26th Secretary of State.